Monday, November 22, 2010

GUIDANCE PROGRAM SAMPLE

All students have individual abilities and are capable of learning with support from family, community and educators.

All students have the right to be treated with dignity and respect and learn in a safe, supportive environment.

Assumptions

A school counseling program:

Reaches every student

Is comprehensive in scope

Is proactive in design

Is developmental in nature

Is an integral part of a total educational program for student success

Selects measurable student competencies based on local need in the area of academic, career and personal/social domains.

Has a delivery system that includes school guidance curriculum, individual planning, responsive services and system support

Is implemented by a credentialed school counselor

Is conducted in collaboration with all stakeholders.

Uses data to drive program decisions

Monitors student progress

Measures both process and outcome-results and analyzes critical data elements

Seeks improvement each year based on results data

Shares successes with stakeholders.

All school counselors will:

Plan and manage the comprehensive school counseling program in collaboration with all elementary counselors.

Abide by the professional school counseling ethics as advocated by the American School Counselors Association.

Participate in professional development activities essential to maintaining a quality school counseling program.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Davenport Community School’s comprehensive school guidance program is to enhance each student’s ability to acquire knowledge, attitudes and skills in the academic, career and personal/social domains to become contributing members of our diverse society.

VIRGINIA BEACH CITY PUBLIC SCHOOL:HIGH SCHOOL

School Guidance/Counseling Program

Overview

Virginia Beach City Public Schools offers a comprehensive K-12 school counseling program that is an integral part of each school's total educational program designed to promote the academic, career, and personal/social development of all students. As an essential part of the instructional program, school counseling helps to build a foundation for student learning and academic success.

Program Design

The division has adapted the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) National model as the framework for developing a school counseling program because the model emphasizes a comprehensive and developmental approach for implementing a school counseling program. The concepts of student advocacy, leadership, collaboration, and systemic change are infused throughout the school counseling program.

All schools are required to have a Guidance Advisory Council to inform all stakeholders about the school counseling program. This council is comprised of representatives from the school and community that include students, parents, administrators, faculty, businesses, universities, and other local agencies.

Program Goals

Student goals and Myrick's (1997) principle for developing counseling programs provide the basis of Virginia Beach Public City Public Schools' guidance program. These goals are:

Understanding the school environment

School success skills

Career awareness and educational planning

Understanding self and others

Understanding attitudes and behaviors

Decision making and problem solving

Interpersonal and communication skills

Community pride and involvement

Program Components

Our comprehensive school counseling programs are developmentally designed to serve all students and include the following services:

The Loyola Schools Guidance Office (LSGO) aims to equip the students with the necessary tools for self-actualization in the context of personal, familial and societal realities. The office assists in the formation of the students through the developmental stages of self-awareness, self-exploration, self-enhancement, and self-offering.

Services:

Counseling

Students may avail of individual or group sessions with counselors for academic, personal, social, emotional, career, and moral concerns.

Testing

The individual strengths and weaknesses of students in the areas of personality, aptitudes, interests, motivation and job skills are assessed through the use of standardized tests.

Individual Inventory

Information about educational and familial background, test results, and interview notes are filed in individual folders and updated yearly to help monitor the student’s development.

Faculty/Parent Consultations Research

Studies on areas of interest are conducted periodically for office and campus needs.

Educational & Occupational Information

Materials about some school programs here and abroad are available in the office. In coordination with the Placement Office, orientation to career development plans and exploration of job opportunities are held.

Academic/Probation Follow-up Program

Students on probationary status and those with low grades are followed-up individually, and are assisted in identifying the causes of their poor academic performance. This program helps them develop attitudes and necessary skills to be able to cope with their academic load.

Introduction to Ateneo Culture (INTACT)

In this program, freshman students are oriented to the varied aspects of college life. They undergo sessions on study habits, stress management, value clarification, and socialization.

Scholars’ Program

Scholars are assisted in their adjustment to the Ateneo community and the development of their potentials through individual follow-up and group activities.

Special Program Designs/Workshops

Requests for program designs and facilitators are accommodated whenever possible. These range from academic to interpersonal concerns of any official organization or informal groups of students, faculty, or staff.